Dixon's sporting passage to India

Former Newark Hockey Club star Adam Dixon is taking part in one of the sport’s most lucrative leagues in the world for a second time.

The 29-year-old, bought at an auction of the world’s best players for the equivalent of almost £10,400, is plying his trade for Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League.

Dixon, who played for Mumbai in the 2014 competition, said he was having a fantastic time.

“Places for foreign internationals were tight so I was delighted to be picked up by Kalinga,” he said.

“The competition is the most lucrative in the world and the audiences are huge.

“Hockey is the national sport in India and it’s a shock if there isn’t a picture of you, or one of your teammates, in the morning papers.

“The fans are amazing. In Kalinga we are blessed with about 8,000 screaming supporters for each home game, which we would never get playing back at home in our domestic season.”

Dixon has guided his team, based in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Indian state Odisha, to third place in the six-team league, which finishes on Sunday.

Teams play ten league fixtures before the top four meet in a knockout competition.

'It is vital not to fall ill'

Dixon said he had to adapt to the conditions to succeed.

“Living in India for six weeks is tricky for some, but I love it. There is always something to be amazed by as we travel around the country,” he said.

“However, it is vital not to fall ill as even a few days of sickness can impact upon your performance.

“I always keep a bottle of hand sanitiser not too far away and I carry a small pharmacy worth of drugs with me.”

Dixon, who plays for Beeston in the English domestic season, believes the main difference between players in India and elsewhere is their individual skill level.

“Those who know about hockey accept that Indians are the most skilful in the world, but it is not until you arrive here and get shown up by a young player that it truly hits home,” he said.

“As a 29-year-old, it’s great to pick up a few tips from a 17-year-old and vice-versa. It’s good to be able to pass on advice on tactics and team defence, which most European playing nations rely on.”

'We all get on great'

While the core of the Kalinga Lancers side is made up of Indian players, there are some from Australia, Germany and Holland.

“All my teammates speak good English, which means I don’t have to work too hard on my Hindi,” Dixon said.

“We all get on great, which is pretty crucial when you are living in each others’ back-pockets for six weeks.

“Usually we relax playing a game of Uno.”

Dixon is hoping the Indian experience will help him gain a place in the Great Britain squad at the Rio Olympic Games later this year.

He narrowly missed out at London 2012 after making it through to the final selection stages.

“The squad has been trimmed to 24 and preparations are well under way,” Dixon said.

“I’m looking forward to a tour to Australia in May, where we will be tested by the world’s number one team in a three-match series.

“The Olympics is the pinnacle for any hockey player and I hope this time around all the hard work I have put in over the previous three years pays off.”